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Welcome to the 54th issue of PhotoFlash
Hi there
Great news at BetterPhoto! Our September online classes are just getting under way, so don't wait any longer: Enroll now in a photography or Photoshop course, and we'll send you the first lesson pronto. Read all about these awesome 4-week courses. ... Need help deciding? Try our very cool CourseFinder to help you find the class that's best for you.
Check out the exciting presentations on photography and Photoshop at the 2007 BetterPhoto Summit! It all takes place September 29th and 30th in Chicago. Sign up now!
In this issue of PhotoFlash, don't miss Jim Zuckerman's featured article (on photographing in beautiful light), the "Where in the World?" quiz, and a fine collection of photo discussions.
To read the online version of PhotoFlash at our Web site, visit http://www.betterphoto.com/photoflashes/
Have a great month!
Jim Miotke
http://www.betterphoto.com/MG.asp?ID=124
In This Issue: Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Featured Photo: Young at Heart
 Young at Heart 77 mm polerizer, taken at mid day when the fog was just breaking. Rebel xt, Sigma 10-20, tripod and remote. Thanks for looking! © Jon-Michael Basile Canon EOS Digital ... |
Featured Article: The Benefits of Photographing in Soft Light ... by Jim Zuckerman
Contrary to what most people think, writes top pro Jim Zuckerman, flowers look the most beautiful when they are photographed in diffused lighting. Cloud covers act like a giant studio softbox, and softboxes or white umbrellas that studio photographers use actually are made to simulate an overcast sky. Jim, by the way, teaches many excellent courses here at BetterPhoto, including Techniques of Natural Light Photography. Check out Jim's article...
Read more...
Where in the World? To learn the correct answer to the last quiz - and see who came the closest, visit the previous Where in the World quiz. Advertisement ... Lensbabies - Selective Focus SLR Lenses! September Online Photo Classes: Have Fun and Learn a Lot! New Photo Discussions The Next Step: Where to Go From Here
Can you guess where this picture was taken? If you think you have a clue, try offering a response.
© Sean Arbabi
arbabi.org
4-Week Short Course: Exposure A to Z: The Ins and Outs to Metering
Nikon F100 SLR Cam...
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Would you like to learn more about photography or Photoshop? Then join us for an inspiring online class at BetterPhoto.com! Check out our outstanding 4-week September courses. Also, see our entire school schedule ... Learn more...
New Photo Discussion 1: Florida Keys Vacationing
I also really like this pic!! I love the blue and the water and such!!! Nice tones! And lighting ... is it all natural??
FLMC1309: Florida Keys vacationing, Florida
USA: Florida: Monroe County: Florida Keys: Mile 81: Islamorada/ Upper Matecumbe Key: Casa Morada: lying out in poolside lounge chairs, a couple relaxes in the morning sun
© Sean Arbabi
arbabi.org
4-Week Short Course: Exposure A to Z: The Ins and Outs to Metering
Fuji GX-680 II Med...
- Desiree T. Sherman
Response 1:Hi Desiree,
Yes, this was from a lifestyle photo assignment in the Florida Keys with professional models. It was all natural light. There was lots of set-up with my client, a hair and make-up stylist, assistants, etc. But ithe photo was pretty much a straightforward image (shot down low close to the ground).
Thanks, Desiree!
- Sean Arbabi
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 2: The Hood '34 ford
Hi Cheryl,
"The Hood" '34 ford
© Cheryl Plank
Panasonic Lumix DM...
I love to photograph cars myself, and I really had to look at this a long time to finally focus in on the rear view mirror. Then I could get my eyes to focus on the whole shot. Nicely seen and captured!
- Rob Bishop
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Response 1:Thank you Rob! That's quite a pat on the back from someone with such an awesome gallery. It does take some analysis to see "the hood". Even the owner of the car was mystified when he saw it. Thanks, Cheryl
- Cheryl Plank
Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 3: Piercing Gaze Mt. Lion
This is incredible. Excellent catch and capture.
Piercing Gaze Mt. Lion
This mountain lion was photographed in captivity, in partnership with Triple D Game Farm.
© Jim Miotke
Miotke.com
A FREE Course Preview: Digital SLR Photography
Canon EOS 10D Digi...
- Harmeet Singh
Response 1:Hello, Harmeet,
Thanks so much for your kind feedback. Yes, this was a real treat photographing this mountain lion - "Anna" she is called. To get in this close, I used a 400mm lens and a 2x teleconverter. Out of 11 exposures, this is the only one that came out sharp.
Thanks again!
- Jim at BetterPhoto.com
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 4: Drops of Daisies
I really like this photo. Great Job! The composition is very interesting. Did you just take it through glass, or did you use another technique?
Drops of Daisies
f/11, 1/40 sec at 105mm
© Susanne V. Schroeder
Nikon D200 Digital...
- Kyle C. La Velle
Response 1:Thanks, Kyle! No special technique. It's a spider web with large waterdrops caught in it. I am taking a BetterPhoto online class with Tony Sweet, and the lesson was "shooting through stuff" - so I stuck this flower underneath this web with the intention to shoot through. As I was adjusting my focus these little daisy drops were smiling at me.
- Susanne V. Schroeder
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 5: Rush Hour in Chicago
LOVE the colors...reminds me of stained glass, Mike!<:))
Rush Hour
People moving to and fro at Chicago's O'Hare airport- United Airlines underground walkway. Basic workflow techniques used here (Levels, Selective COlor, Saturation, Cropping).
© Michael S. Baker
Fuji FinePix S7000...
- Lorraine A. Cook
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Response 1:Love the point of view, distortion and motion blur on the silhouettes, Mike. This is an interesting composition with the upper level, the ceiling of the main level, and the people and foreground dividing it nicely and all of that emphasized by the architectural lines and the horizontal crop.
- Nikki A. McDonald
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Response 2:Thanks, Nikki, for your comments. You know, the 2007 BetterPhoto Summit is here in Chicago. I keep thinking this image could symbolize all the BP members rushing to get to the Summit. Most seem to be walking in the same direction ... to the BP summit. :)
Regards,
Mike B
- Michael S. Baker
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Response 3:And thank you also, Lorraine, for your comments!
- Michael S. Baker
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 6: Strawberries
You strawberries look absolutely yummy! What lighting arrangement did you use to create the image? And, did you do anything to the berries themselves to make them so appealing? Thanks!
Strawberries
Strawberry still life. Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens. Exposure: ISO 100, f/16, 1/125th sec.
© Charlotte K. Lowrie
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Canon EOS 1Ds Mark...
- Bunny Snow
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Response 1:They WERE yummy! Thank you so much for your kind comments. I took this image in the studio with my usual lighting setup:
- Two background lights
- One main or key light slightly to camera left, placed over the subject and tilted down a bit to fill shadows at the bottom of the bowl
- One light with an umbrella at a 90-degree angle to the left of the camera
- A large silver reflector to the right of the camera at a 90-degree angle.
I use studio strobes, but you can use continuous lights - even shop lights that you can buy at a hardware store - to simulate the same lighting. Bright, clean light with snappy color really makes the color of fruit and vegetables pop. And it's that bright, clean light that really adds to the appeal of the food. I also use only unblemished berries that are just at peak ripeness. It's also good to have the green tops which gives some color contrast to the red.
Also, I only photograph food that I love to eat. The anticipation of finishing the shoot and having strawberries and ice cream is good motivation to get the shots right before I eat the subject! ;)
Take care and good to hear from you,
Charlotte
- Charlotte K. Lowrie
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion New Photo Discussion 7: Old Rail Car
I love the textured feeling of this photograph. The color is great too!
Old Rail Car 1
...and Graffitti; late afternoon sunlight; polarizer to reduce glare and boost color; f/22 at 1/5th sec.; 105mm; tripod; Petaluma, CA
© Kerry Drager
kerrydrager.com
Creative Light and Composition
4-Week Short Course: Creative Close-ups
Nikon D2X Digital ...
- Cristina O. Wilson
Response 1:Hi Cristina,
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts - much appreciated!
A few thoughts on how I captured this shot: This old railroad car caught my eye, because of the bright colors from graffiti. Due to the many surrounding distractions, I chose to zero in on the patterns and abstracts. Shooting at an angle, I chose a high f/number in order to get a deep Depth of Field - sharpness from low down to high up - since all parts of this pattern/abstract image were important. Since the surface was very reflective, I used a polarizing filter to cut the amount of glare in order to give a nice jolt to the colors.
Kerry
- Kerry Drager
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Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
Until next time, thanks for reading and keep having fun with photography!
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com, Inc.
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